We celebrate in a culture of wonderful stories about people who have pulled themselves up by their own bootstraps and call themselves “Self-Made“. We celebrate them because many of us understand the struggle. Yet, we all know there are moments in life when personal strength is not enough, moments we need something supernatural beyond our own ability. When I decided to go back to college after my divorce, I was a recently single mother, and life was tough. God sent people across my path, mentors, encouragers, even strangers, and it was not the easiest season, but I know that it is only because of God’s grace that I made it. I certainly didn’t make it to the place I am on my own; grace carried me when strength could not.
“Jesus heard that he was cast out, and when He found him, He said: ‘Do you believe in the Son of Man?”
~John 9:35
Jesus doesn’t just notice the rejected, He pursues them so they can truly see Him.
This moment ensues after the Pharisees’ refusal to accept the miracle; they questioned both the man and his parents, vigorously demonstrating that religion without relationship is a dead end, not a doorway. Instead of celebrating the miracle of a man who was born blind, now seeing and giving him their blessing, they excommunicated him. Not only this, his parents had forsaken him, essentially leaving him out on his own…”He’s of age, let him answer.” Jesus heard what had happened to him and, instead of leaving him abandoned, went looking for him. The timing matters because God stops to see us out; rejection becomes a stage for revelation. He never wastes rejection; He repurposes it for revelation. He often reveals Himself more deeply precisely when earthly systems push us away.
In this context, he received sight first, revelation second, and salvation was final. Jesus had already healed his eyes, but now he was reaching for his heart, moving from miracle to relationship. Here’s the principle: miracles may get our attention, but only faith secures transformation. A person can receive a bona fide miracle from God and still miss the wonder of the God who gave it, unless revelation leads to belief. As the body of Christ, it would be beneficial for us to move from receiving things from God to the place of knowing Him as personal Lord and Savior. Transformation begins when we respond as this man did, “Lord, I believe.”
The man’s loyalty had been tested; most people would have gotten discouraged and folded under such pressure. He was excommunicated for being healed, let that sink in. But he stood before Jesus and made a remarkable confession. Faith is a journey from initial recognition to ultimate trust. In our culture, the pursuit of secular enlightenment and visible results has clouded our ability to receive divine revelation, which typically precedes saving faith. In our world, “seeing is believing”; but in God’s kingdom, believing becomes seeing. We trust results, proof, and evidence, but in the kingdom, faith is the evidence. We chase provision, breakthrough, or favor, but Jesus is always after the deeper things, like our hearts.
The question becomes personal fast when we examine our hearts in light of this truth. Will we choose to trust Jesus, even if it means our lives may become harder than they are now? We understand that belief requires trust when we can’t trace the outcome. It’s going to cost us faith when we don’t see the plan unfolding as we thought it would, and faith is the evidence when answers are delayed. We must be challenged to believe beyond comfort, convenience, or even visible evidence, and that’s hard in the context we’re living in. When we choose to believe, however, we trade outcomes for intimacy, and Jesus becomes our reward.
Time of Reflection:
** Jesus, refine my faith so that belief leads my decisions.
** Help me recognize You even when clarity is missing.
Heart Probe Moment:
** Where is God asking me to believe before seeing?
References:
John 9:35
Rom 10:17
1 Cor 1:27
Heb 12:2
Questions are ordered according to Thomas Nelson Chronological Study Bible #52
Closing Prayer:
Lord Jesus, Thank You for pursuing me the way You pursued the healed man. Strengthen my faith when sight is limited, and teach me to believe You deeply, personally, and daily. Open my heart to see You beyond miracles so that belief becomes my worship.
